Today we attended a Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on Electric Vehicles (EV), called by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND). Senators Alexander (R-TN), Bennett (R-UT), and Cochran (R-MS) were also in attendance. While the greatest focus of discussion was EVs and charging infrastructure development, Alan Taub, Vice President of Research and Development for GM, notably closed his testimony with a pitch for fuel cells!

Taub spoke of how GM is developing both EVs and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and noted that both technologies use the same electric motors and power electronics. He also spoke of the fuel cell advantage - larger vehicles and a greater range than EVs. In the future, he said, it’s not an “OR” solution (EVs “or” FCs), it’s an “AND” solution. He also wants the U.S. to remain a leader in FC technology, not falling behind to Japan and Germany.

In addition, Taub asked that Congress extend testing and validation funding for FCVs for 2011, and incentivize the industry through government commitment for FCV fleet purchases. He also stressed the need to develop both electric charging AND hydrogen fueling infrastructure. We are glad GM feels so strongly about FCVs to speak about them in this forum and highlight that fuel cells are an important part of the energy portfolio!